Breaking the cords of the Constitution?

"We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality an religion.  Avarice (excessive greediness), ambition, revenge, or gallantry would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net.  Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people.  It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." ~John Adams

No wonder Obama sees the Constitution as a document of "negative liberties."

The Constitution was created to limit government.  Do you want to make decisions for your family or do you want a president and other "smarter-than-you-but-don't-care-about-you" politicians creating "rights" for your family?  "We the people" are the first three words of the Constitution for good reason.  The government is about you, not about Obama or whoever else wants to trample all over your freedoms.  Be loud, be persistent, don't sit idly by while your freedoms are stripped away from you.  Humble yourself, pray, seek God's face. (2 Chr. 7:14)  Exhibit faith, hope, and love ...even toward those who are trying to ruin you, but don't tolerate or allow them to take what God has given.  This is so hard.  Temper anger with love.  Knowing that Jesus died for them as much as for those of us who love Him with all our hearts.  "Forgive them, Father, for they do not know what they do."  Or do they?  Be loving, be strong.  Familiarize yourself with our true history (I'll give you a hint that you won't find it in the public school, government-written textbooks), and the Constitution, and the fact that freedom is God-given, not Nancy Pelosi-given.  Open your eyes & recognize that the government has been and will continue to influence you through media, the government-run school system, universities...  It's called brain-washing, folks.  Think for yourself.  Question everything and discover the truth for yourself and then cling to it with everything you have!  Have conviction.

"If we lose freedom here, there is no place to escape to.  This is the last stand on earth."  ~Ronald Reagan.  It's true.  Is Antarctica still inhabitable?  Darn!  Where else can we go?  Hold on to tightly and fight for what you have because once it's gone, it's gone.

An update on Jame's shoulder

Jamie finally got the diagnosis after his MRI last week.

Apparently, the thunking/cracking he has been experiencing in his shoulder is a "foreign object" about the size of an eraser tip, probably a broken off piece of cartilage or bone.  The doctor expressed the idea that the chipping off of bone or cartilage could be a disease-related.  He will ultimately have to have surgery again but the doctor really wants to get to the source of the problem so Jame will be seeing an orthopedist for a second opinion.
He is not allowed to work or use his right arm until this is figured out.  So, we are taking a few steps backward.  This is a bummer, but we know God is sovereign, and we are very glad to have some sort of diagnosis of the problem.  Thank you for praying.  Please continue to.  I am confident God's hand is in this and He is growing us, and especially Jamie through such an uncomfortable time.

A blade of grass

"I am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it." -Chuck Swindoll

This quote is staring at me as I prepare to read the next chapter of Sarah Palin's book.  I used to live by these wise words and have somehow forgotten them, and how to apply them to my own life.  A friend told me once that I was like a blade of grass...when I get stomped down, I'm down for a bit and then I pop right back up.  I know that is in me somewhere but it seems lost at the moment.

Jaci Velasquez lyrics come to me..."Here I am again willing to be opened up and broken like a flower in the rain.  Tell me what I have to do to die and then be raised to reach beyond the pain like a flower in the rain."  Such a theme song of my life at one time and yet I wish I could blossom in the downtimes like I once did so well.  But I hold bitterness and hurt so much tighter now.  Why is that?

And my mind...thoughts play over and over in my mind.  What does that person think of me?  What do they say when I'm not around?   Ugh!  It is absolutely the enemy.  Even if these people do disapprove of me.  Who cares!?  God knows the motives of my heart.  He knows my heart!  All I need is to please Him and no one else. "For do I now persuade men, or God?  Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ." (Gal. 1:10)  (Haha!  My spell check doesn't recognize the word "bondservant", a reflection of culture, I guess.)
And I try to take those thoughts captive to the obedience of Jesus, but they still dominate my mind.  I must replace them with thoughts that are true.  "God is good."  "He has a plan for me."  "I am significant to Him."  "He will use me."  "He gives me passions, talents, gifts, and opportunities.  What are they?  How am I going to use them?"

So, here's to "bouncing back" no matter who may gloat or boast at your downfall.  God is picking me back up.  Why should I return to the pit?  Get out and walk away from it.  Letting no one take from me what God is doing.  Not any person, not the enemy of my soul.

Drive Thru History

Drive Thru History :: Episode 12 CLOSING from ColdWater Media on Vimeo.

This is a series our family has really enjoyed.  I highly recommend.  This particular video was sent to Jame recently and I thought it was excellent.  Enjoy!

a letter to Glenn Beck

Glenn Beck has recently unveiled some inspiring artwork with the words, "Faith", Hope," and "Charity."  Below is a letter I doubt he will ever have time to read, but I wrote anyway.  Be encouraged.  God tells us through Scripture that we are to bear these three qualities in the last days which are coming upon us.

(property of Glenn Beck)

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Glenn,

I awoke in the middle of the night the other night and began to ponder our nation, and end times prophecy.  America seems to not be in end times prophecy which means that we, most likely, will not be a prominent player of the stage being set for the return of Christ.  Of course, I believe this moment is soon approaching.  In light of prophecy and the fulfillment of it, I questioned whether or not my energy to the restoration of the USA to its founding principles is futile.  I don't know if that makes any sense.  Anyway, I began a Bible study on what I should be found doing (particularly concerning my country) upon Christ's return.  I am still in the midst of this study, but I found something rather interesting that proved to me that you are right about faith, hope, and charity (love).  Here it is:

1 Thessalonians 5 is well known as being a description of the coming of Jesus Christ or the "rapture" so it is an appropriate place to look to find out what we should be doing during that time.  Look at verse 8...

"But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation."

You are right.  I follow you pretty avidly and was so encouraged to have your vision confirmed in scripture, in my own personal quiet time with the Lord.  Keep on keeping on!  You are doing a great job!  You are a watchman of Jeremiah 6:17.

Jeremiah 6:13-17 is so where we find ourselves today:  "Because from the least of them even to the greatest of them, everyone is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even to the priest, everyone deals falsely (isn't this so true that the overwhelming majority of our leaders, even 'spiritual', are in it for selfish gain?).   They have also healed the hurt of the people slightly, saying, 'Peace, peace!' when there is no peace (lying to the people that there is no economic crisis; the hc bill is going to be great 'but you just have to pass it first so we can tell you all about it'; global warming).  Were they ashamed they had committed abomination (a homonym I often think is no coincidence. Teehee!)?  No!  they were not at all shamed; nor did they know how to blush (a result of arrogance and pride).  Therefore they shall fall among those who fall;  at the time I punish them, they shall be cast down," says the Lord.  Thus says, the Lord, "Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths (our founding principles), where the good way is, and walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls.  But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'  Also, I set a watchman over you (thank you, Glenn!!), saying, 'Listen to the sound of the trumpet!' But they said, 'We will not listen.'..." (commentary, obviously, mine.)

God bless you, Glenn, as you seek out the truth and share it with us all.  It will truly free us...even if only in our own hearts.  But, I desire and hope for so much more...the restoration and revival of our beautiful, God-blessed country.  And, yes, I will be raising up Godly and patriotic children so they can have a hope-filled future.

Much love to you and your staff for all you do so tirelessly and for very good cause.  You are deeply loved and appreciated by my family and so many others.

Kori Peterson

Borrego Springs, CA
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On an unrelated note, the boys told me yesterday that they were talking about our presidents and they want to be president.  Thus followed an in-depth conversation about integrity, humility, service, and the importance of knowing our Constitution.  Guess I will be adding that to the curriculum (which I had in mind already). :)

Flower Power

If you want to see the desert wildflowers, you better do it quick!  Soon the green thorny caterpillars will be out to eat them all up.  I recommend Glorietta Canyon.  It is one of the only places where the mustard hasn't taken over.  

The boys enjoying some time in Glorietta Canyon.

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Ocotillo and beavertail in Coyote Canyon.

Brandon's prayer

Last night, I was in the living room while Jamie put the boys in bed.  I could hear them pray from where I was at and I heard these dear words come form Brandon's mouth in a most genuine prayer:
"Jesus, please don't let Barack Obama do anything to hurt our country.  In Jesus name, Amen."

Oh, that we all would pray for our country from the depths of our hearts.

Moms and Dads, please instill in your children a love for God and country.  Brandon is 5 and he "gets it."  Their little minds are so much more capable than we give them credit for.

  

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. Revelation 22:1-3

     Dear heavenly Father, I begin this day somewhat conflicted on the inside… most certainly, a good candidate for some fresh gospel-sanity. I’m very thankful to live in this country—the land where you’ve twice given me birth—in my mother’s womb and from above. I’m very thankful that the “governing authority” You’ve established here (Romans 13:1-3) contains a two-party system—a democracy, even if it’s a broken democracy, which allows for dialogue, debate and dissent. Selfishly, I’m very thankful I get to live in my America rather than the Apostle Paul’s Rome.
     That being said, Father, I need you to center and settle me this morning. As a citizen of heaven (Phil 3:20) and this country, help me know how to live and to love to your glory, in the midst of the current chaos and clamor about health care in our country. Forgive me… when I look to the horses, chariots and men of Congress, more so than to courts of heaven for my perspective and peace. It’s not who’s occupying the Oval Office, but Who’s occupying the throne of grace that really matters.
     Forgive me… when I spend more time being cynical and snide about government, rather than prayerful and engaged with the brokenhearted and the broken-bodied all around me. Health care is a good thing, a gospel thing. You are the Lord who heals (Exodus 15:26). By the wounds of your Son, Jesus, we are healed (Isa 53:5). You give gifts of healings, to and through your people (1 Cor. 12:9). A part of your kingdom agenda is the ultimate health care of the new heaven and new earth, when the leaves of the tree of life will provide healing for the nations (Rev. 22:2). Hasten that Day, Father, please, hasten that Day.
     But until that Day, and in light of that Day, keep us thinking with gospel-sanity… loving with Jesus’ compassion… serving with grace-full humility… and hoping with kingdom vision. So very Amen, I pray… we pray… in the name of our reigning and merciful King, Jesus.

(a prayer my uncle passed along to me.)